In light of the tragic passing of beloved GLEE cast member Cory Monteith, the series’ executive producers, 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Broadcasting Company have jointly decided to delay the start of production of GLEE until early August. Season Five of GLEE will now premiere on Thursday, Sept. 26 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. No further details are available at this time.

Monteith played loveable FINN HUDSON, the star quarterback of McKinley High who became a leader of glee club New Directions. Outside of GLEE, Monteith worked closely with several charitable organizations, devoted to helping people effect positive change in their lives. In honor of his passing, the following groups will be accepting donations in his name:

GLEE is produced by Ryan Murphy Television in association with 20th Century Fox Television. Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan are co-creators of the series. Murphy, Falchuk, Brennan and Dante Di Loreto serve as executive producers. “Like” GLEE on Facebook and download the Facebook Fan Page app at www.facebook.com/Glee. Follow the series on Twitter @GLEEonFOX and join the discussion at #glee.

I just KNEW they were gonna do this. Well at least it’s only a week later. RIP Cory Montieth you’ll be missed.

EmaPonche

It was expected after what happened. I hope they’ll write off the storyline of the character Finn as good as possible. RIP Cory.

steven

Not soon enough. It should be delayed until winter.

Alan

I expected that! I wouldn’t be shocked if Lea Michele quits, I would guess she’s under contract or she would had quitted already.

AlanJames

I think Lea will stay Loyal to the show unless it gets all too much for her,RIP Cory Montheith

mike

Jamie04

Lea has confirmed she will be back. She’s a professional and they will deal with this in the most delicate way. They have each other to lean on. I loved Cory and was sometimes frustrated with Finn’s character, but I will miss Finchel.
RIP Cory

CBSviewer

RIP Cory Montheith

Rob R

I am surprised the delay is so short. This will be so tough on the young cast. Losing a close friend your at such a young age is a pain that is almost unbearable, yet rarely talked about.

Sade

Young cast? These are adults, and Lea Michelle is 26.

JoeHamm

I must be the only one who didn’t see this coming. I’m not insensitive in any way. This does seem like the right course of action, regardless Fingers crossed for the perfect memorial episode. Well-deserved. All my love to Lea and the rest of the cast.

ZmaX

@Rob R

Actually Lea herself wanted the show to start back up sooner rather than later (Ryan Murphy gave an interview with TVLine and explained a lot) They decided it was better for all of them to be together at this time, since they’re like a big family. There will be grief counselor on set for two weeks.

Alex

@steven

with glee this season they’re doing half the season until x-factor ends and then picking it back up in like march or april. im pretty sure greg kinnear’s show will air in the time slot after american idol from january to march. what im trying to get at is they couldn’t delay the show all the way until winter because of that.

Jacobo

Is season 4 on Netflix yet?

Ram510

They should just go ahead and make this a shortened season and bring it back midseason. The show is on it last leg anyways

JS

@Ram510: How is the show on it’s “last leg?” It’s only beginning its 4th season and just got a new contract for 2 full seasons. Ratings are strong for a competitive time slot – and this real life drama- will probably correlate into even bigger ratings for the show. Talented cast, great writers- most entertaining show on tv.

Ram510

@ JS

Glee isn’t “just beginning its 4th season” season 4 ended in May.

And creatively the show has been downhill for a while now. The ratings have taken a steep decline despite having a X Factor/AI lead in. People are just tuning out. I do agree that with this tragedy it probably will get some people to tune in, but lets be honest that won’t last long at all.

If it were up to me that 2 season renewal would be for a reduce amount of episodes at least for this coming 5th season. It give the cast and crew time to regroup. Plus it could help creatively as well

Kevin

Which world are you living in?
Season 4 was the best season since the first one.

Kaylie

I just know the ratings will skyrocket when it returns, then slowly die down. This may be the big thing that they need to creatively get back into writing an episode. I just hope it doesn’t lose its comedic factor and go completely drama on us.

Also, why hasnt it gone into syndication yet?

Marie

Actually according to Ryan Murphy they will do 2 episodes without Finn. Finn will die in episode 3, and after episode 3, they will take another long hiatus to figure out how to proceed with the show now that Cory is gone. he said Cory and lea were the A-story so they would not have to figure another direction for the show. And there will be grief counselors on set as his colleagues were hurting right now.